New Guinea 1894-A mark
This specimen was lot 653 in Stack's Bowers ANA auction (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $3,818.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMAN NEW GUINEA. Mark, 1894-A. PCGS MS-67 Secure Holder. Stunning dark obverse toning surrounds a lustrous center. From the Kevin Tierney Collection." This coin was minted in Berlin in 1894 for the German colony of New Guinea. A popular, classic, rare and expensive world coin. Gold ten and twenty mark pieces also exist, along with silver half mark, two mark and five mark pieces. The German colony of New Guinea fell to the Australians in 1914 and was held by them until 1975, when the area became part of Papua New Guinea. Mineral wealth abounds but the climate and terrain are harsh and the country remains poor. It is unlikely that this gem specimen ever crossed the Pacific to New Guinea.
Recorded mintage: 33,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 5.55 g, 0.900 fine silver, .160 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-5.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Jaeger, Kurt, Die Deutschen Münzen seit 1871, Basel: Münzen und Medaillen AG, 1982.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2014 Chicago ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Featuring the David O'Harrow Collection, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2014.
Link to: